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Older Meade Series 4000 Eyepieces

Started by Chris1, 10/25/2014 01:43PM
Posted 10/25/2014 01:43PM | Edited 10/25/2014 01:44PM Opening Post
Recently I started to aquire some older Meade eyepieces on A-Mart. I use a C11 and had two 2" eyepieces-TeleVue 20mm and an older Meade 32mm SWA Plossl (along with an assortment of 1.25" eyepieces as well). I was looking for some older, Meade Series 4000 2" eyepieces. I came across the Meade 8.8 UWA "smoothie" and a 14mm UWA (with eyecup) a while ago and recently, I purchased a Meade 2" 40mm SWA "smoothie" and the Meade 56mm Super Plossl (with eyecup).

I must say the 8.8, 14 and the 40 gives views that make you say "WOW". That 40mm SWA is one massive eyepiece (although the 14mm isn't small!). Looking back in the old ads, I did not realize that the 40mm was the most expensive of the Series 4000. I had heard about the 8.8 and the 14 but very little about the 40mm. I really like that big 40mm SWA.

Chris N
Cedar, MN

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Chris1's attachment for post 58806
Posted 10/25/2014 08:46PM #1
My!

What a nice eyepiece family photo!

You have good taste. I have yet to acquire a 40mm SWA. If I do go for one, I'm gonna hunt down the smoothie-style.

I have the TV 40 Widefield and a rare Axiom 40 (the original). It would be entertaining to see how the original SWA 40 butts barrels with them...

Those 14mm UWAs will always be a work of art in my eyes.

The 56, also simply lovely when placed on Orion's Sword, M45, M31, and The Veil.

Take care,

Just a few thoughts:

8) FS-152SV sitting in the office
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:S Meade ETX-90 finder scope position
shocked Hino Optical Mizar 120SL observatory model
:C SR-4mm eyepiece with a 3x barlow in a 60mm refractor
8O Zeiss Victory 7x42 SFs
wink Having over 135 vintage oculars to play with
smile My life surrounded by wonderful friends and impeccable optics
Posted 11/03/2014 10:13PM #2

I think the Meade 4000 Series 14 UWA is one of the finest eyepieces ever made.

Best, John
Posted 11/04/2014 02:24PM #3
Chris Nisbet said:

Recently I started to aquire some older Meade eyepieces on A-Mart. I use a C11 and had two 2" eyepieces-TeleVue 20mm and an older Meade 32mm SWA Plossl (along with an assortment of 1.25" eyepieces as well). I was looking for some older, Meade Series 4000 2" eyepieces. I came across the Meade 8.8 UWA "smoothie" and a 14mm UWA (with eyecup) a while ago and recently, I purchased a Meade 2" 40mm SWA "smoothie" and the Meade 56mm Super Plossl (with eyecup).

I must say the 8.8, 14 and the 40 gives views that make you say "WOW". That 40mm SWA is one massive eyepiece (although the 14mm isn't small!). Looking back in the old ads, I did not realize that the 40mm was the most expensive of the Series 4000. I had heard about the 8.8 and the 14 but very little about the 40mm. I really like that big 40mm SWA.

Chris N
Cedar, MN

I've always liked the Meade eyepieces fine...and if the price is right, go for it. Today, I'd probably buy one of Explore Scientific's eyepieces if the price of one of the older Meades was in spittin' distance, but, still, good eyepieces.

Uncle Rod

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Posted 11/12/2014 01:30AM #4
Along with the UWA's and 5-element pseudo-Masuyama smoothies, the SWA's are real gems. I love the compactness and performance of the 13.8, 18, and 24mm SWA's at f/8. The 68 deg fov is very comfy.

There's something about those classic 3" refractors..
Posted 10/06/2022 04:32AM | Edited 10/06/2022 04:57AM #5
Originally Posted by John Kuhl
<br>  I think the Meade 4000 Series 14 UWA is one of the finest eyepieces ever made.<br><br>  Best, John
I agree John. I own several high end Naglers and Pentax XL eyepieces, but I keep coming back to the hand grenade for a lot of my viewing. It was one of the first EPs I bought many moons ago and I'll not sell or drop (Ihope).
BTW has anyone had the opportunity to compare the Pentax 40XL with the Meade 40?